COWARDLY Definition & Meaning

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cowardly

[kou-erd-lee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

lacking courage; contemptibly timid.
Synonyms: , , , , , , , , , ,
Antonyms:
characteristic of or befitting a coward; despicably mean, covert, or unprincipled.
a cowardly attack on a weak, defenseless man.

adverb

like a coward.

cowardly

/ ˈ�첹ʊə��ɪ /

adjective

of or characteristic of a coward; lacking courage

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

cowardliness noun
ˈ��Ƿɲ��Ա�� noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cowardly¹

First recorded in 1325–75 cowardly for def. 3, and in 1550–60 cowardly for def. 1; Middle English adverb couardli, couarli, couherdeli, is derivative of the adjective couard coward + -ly ( def. )

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Synonym Study

Cowardly, timid, timorous refer to a lack of courage or self-confidence. Cowardly means weakly or basely fearful in the presence of danger: The cowardly wretch deserted his comrades in battle. Timid means lacking in boldness or self-confidence even when there is no danger present: a timid person who stood in the way of his own advancement. Timorous suggests a timidity based on an exaggeration of dangers or on an imaginary creation of dangers: timorous as a mouse.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

During the sentencing hearing at Leicester Crown Court, judge Mr Justice Turner told the 15-year-old he had "made a cowardly attack on an elderly man".

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From Joan of Arc to Cassidy Hutchinson, whenever men have proven too cautious, cowardly or complacent to act, women have had the courage to do the right thing.

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"You made a cowardly attack on an elderly man," he added.

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“I think it’s cowardly for the mayor to not testify,” he said.

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He later labelled their move a "cowardly act" as he addressed farmers at a convention held in the Free State province.

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Related 51�Թ�s

dastardly��

cowardice cowardness

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